Tone-modifier for sound-boxes



H. LUBE.

TONE MODIFIER FOR SOUND BOXES; APPLICATION FILED AUG. 1. 1919. RENEWED MAR. 14, 1921. 1,395,195.

Patented Oct, 25, 1921.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY LUBE, 0F ASTORIA, NEW YORK.

TONE-MODIFIER FOR SOUND-BOXES.

Application filed August 1, 1919, Serial No. 314,693. Renewed March 14, 1921.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY LUBii, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Astoria, in the county of Queens and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Tone-Modifiers for Sound- Boxes, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to tone modifiers for sound boxes of the type used in connection with talking machines. The object of the invention is to provide a device or apparatus adapted to be attached to a tone arm and used to dampen the vibrations of the needle bar so as to soften or modify the tone.

Accordingly, my invention is embodied in a tone modifier for sound boxes constructed and arranged as hereinafter set forth and as illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which- Figure 1 is a front view of a sound box equipped with my improved tone modifier;

Fig. 2 is an edge view of the box and modifier;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view on line 33 of Fig. 1; and I Fig. 4 is a view showing modification.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 3, the reference numeral 5 denotes a sound box of any usual or desirable construction having the attaching neck 6. The needle bar 7 is mounted in the usual brackets 8, 8 and is attached at 9 to the usual mica disk 10.

The tone modifier is indicated generally by the reference numeral 11 and comprises the damper portion 12, the stem 13 and hinge 1 1. The latter is pivoted in the lugs 15, 15 by means of pivot screws 16, 16 arranged in the usual manner to adjust the friction in the pivot or hinge.

The damper portion 12 is preferably formed integral with the stem 13 and forms a clip or clamp comprising the spring portion 17 and the two side leaves 18, 18 bent outward as at 19, 19, so as not to catch the bar 7 when in use. On the inside of the leaves 18 there are secured by any suitable means pieces of felt or like material 20, 20, which are of substantially the same size as the leaves 18.

It will be seen that themodifier maybe Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 25, 1921.

Serial No. 452,235.

swung on the pivots 16 down in the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2 where the damper 12 straddles the needle bar 7 as shown in F ig. 3. The pressure of the sides 18 upon the needle bar is sufficient to dampen or soften the vibrations thereof, hence dampen or soften the tone of the talking machine on which it is used. The action of the damper is like that of the-dampers used on violins. On the other hand, the pivot screws 16 must not be adjusted so tight that the needle bar is prevented from responding to the record grooves as will be understood.

In the instance referred to the lugs 15 are cast or otherwise formed integral with the casing 22 of the sound box.

F ig. 4 shows, however, a modification in which the lugs 15 are part of a clamp 23 which fits over the casing 22 and is attached thereto by a screw 24. So it will be understood that the modifier may be made as a separate article of manufacture and secured to a sound box, or it may be practically a part of said sound box as indicated in the construction in Figs. 1 and 2.

The weight of the modifier is so slight that it does not influence disadvantageously the operation of the sound box.

It will further be understood that I do not intend to limit the invention to the exact details shown, but that changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claim.

I claim:

The combination with a sound box, its diaphragm and needle box, of a tone modifying element comprising'a stem, a hinge portion in the upper end thereof, means for pivoting said hinge portion to the top of the said sound box, a springy clamp formed integral with the lower end of said stem, felt leaves secured within the said springy clamp, said tone modifying element being adapted to be swung onits said pivot into position on said needle bar adjacent the point where the latter is attached to the said diaphragm and to be moved outward away from said needle bar.

HENRY LUBE. 

